It would seem the thing to do. That when the lord speaks, and when you hear, and you know, without a doubt that he is talking to you, you would do as instructed, without hesitation.

Even if The Lord told you to leave your country and the home that raised you, to go to a place – a land that the Lord will show you – somewhere you knew nothing about, you would immediately go. Or, would you? I think most of us would question, and we would most probably say, no.

Abram had faith that it was God speaking, and he did what he was directed to do; and he became Abraham the father of many nations.

We today, who have faith that we hear the word of God through the scriptures, are also directed by God to do something; we are called to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of God’s word; and to follow the commandments given us by Christ: To love your God with all your heart, soul and mind; and to love your neighbor as yourself. We are to have faith that is what we are to do.

To some of us that may mean faith enough to journey to some place we have never ventured before. Or, it may mean, faith enough to change, not the place where we live, but how we live changed, in the place where we are. Abram may have had the easier choice; Abram had unshakable faith and he became Abraham, the father of many nations as God predicted.     

Paul spoke to the Romans about the faith of Abraham. Paul cited the fact that the faith of Abraham did not come from an adherence to the law; “For the law brings wrath ... Where there is no law,” he adds, “There is no violation.”

The righteousness of faith alone is the dependent factor in order that the promise may rest on Grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants. 

The Gospel lesson from John speaks of Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews, coming to Jesus by night. There is an element of concern in Nicodemus, that he would be found out if he came during the day. He immediately showed a measure of faith in Jesus, saying, “... we know you are a teacher who has come from God: for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.”

Jesus immediately sees in Nicodemus the faith he has acquired, and accepts it. Jesus then begins to teach him of heavenly things, and the Spirit of God; and, “... That God gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” And so, we are called to have faith. Amen

The Rev. George O. Martin is an Ordained Deacon at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 17th and Adams, Great Bend. Send email to georgeom@hbcomm.net.